The Oscar-winning actor is confirmed to replace Robert Downey Jr, who decided to bow out following scheduling problems, in Alfonso Cuaron's sci-fi thriller, reported Deadline.

Taking the starring role as a team leader of a space station, George will be starring opposite Sandra Bullock - a mother determined to return to her young child back on earth. The duo become the sole survivors when their outer space base is destroyed by an exploded asteroid.

Gravity is expected to begin production in late April or early May.

Next up for Sandra is the Stephen Daldry drama Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close, which also stars Tom Hanks and newcomer Thomas Horn, while George will be kicking off work on The Ides Of March, the political drama which he is directing and starring in alongside Ryan Gosling.